Corso did not appear for the proceeding at the State House. Anthony Traini, one of Corso’s attorneys, argued that the hearing was improper saying that Mollis did not complete an investigation before launching the inquiry.

Instead, Traini argued, the hearing was based solely on media reports that were brought to Mollis’ attention.

“We don’t believe that whatever procedure we’re about to undertake is in any way in compliance with very fundamental due process regulations,” Traini said. “Certainly we don’t believe Mr. Corso can be ordered to be here.”

Traini left open the possibility that Corso may appear in the course of the hearing, but argued that the secretary of state’s office does not have the power to compel his appearance.

Hearing officer Louis DeSimone allowed eight documents to be identified before scheduling a second hearing for 9:30 a.m. July 29. Traini’s said he was not provided with the documents introduced prior to the hearing and would need time to examine them.

Following Friday’s proceeding, Traini took aim at Mollis, saying the secretary of state is using the hearing as a political undertaking to further his campaign for lieutenant governor.

“Obviously, we think there’s more to this than simply trying to determine whether or not there was lobbying going on four years ago,” Traini said. “As far as we’re concerned, there isn’t any doubt that this is a political issue, and it has a lot to do with the fact that Mr. Mollis wants to be lieutenant governor. He’s trying to figure out a way to make people think that he’s actually doing his job as secretary of state.”

Mollis did not respond to a request for comment Friday.

Mollis’ intent in scheduling the hearings has been questioned by others, including his primary opponent in the lieutenant governor’s race, Cumberland Mayor Daniel McKee.

McKee called the hearing a “charade” after learning that Mollis hired Louis DeSimone, the cousin of House Majority Leader John DeSimone, to preside over the proceeding.

Corso was allied with former House Speaker Gordon D. Fox and is responsible for arranging a meeting in March 2010 attended by Fox and former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling regarding 38 Studios, his now-failed video-game company.

Schilling’s company later secured a $75-million state-backed loan guaranty but declared bankruptcy in June 2012, leaving taxpayers on the hook for upward of $89 million.

On Friday, a consulting agreement dated Jan. 1, 2011, between 38 Studios and Corso, garnered some of the fieriest objections from Corso’s legal representation.

Mark Welch, an attorney for Mollis’ office, introduced the document saying he “truly expected” Corso to be present for the hearing to verify that he signed it. The document promises financial compensation in exchange for Corso’s consulting services. It appears to be signed by Corso and Bill Thomas, the former president of 38 Studios.

“This is ridiculous. He can’t hand you a document and say some guy named Bill Thomas signed this on behalf of 38 Studios,” Traini said.

DeSimone said he would hold off on deciding whether to allow the contract as evidence, and instead charged Welch with discovering the document’s origin.

Welch said the secretary of state’s office obtained it from a member of the media but was unsure how the media came to possess the document.

WPRI-TV confronted Mollis on camera with documents relating to potential lobbying efforts for 38 Studios, which prompted Mollis to call the hearings.